Chapter 282: Flower Capital

While Lingling fought Kaido, the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates were strolling through the Flower Capital of Inazuma.

As the only remaining Inazuma native left in the Whitebeard crew, Ichizo, whose appearance resembled a beautiful woman, acted as their guide, introducing the brothers to the special delicacies of the Flower Capital.

"That three-color dumpling shop up ahead is good."

Ichizo said in a lowered voice.

"It's said to be run by Rachi Lu, an intern of the Morning Star Corps and a disciple of Saint Saint Saiwen's culinary arts, deeply trained in Saint Saint Saiwen's true methods."

"Roger himself was won over by those three-color dumplings and fish balls, and invited Saint Saint Saiwen aboard his ship."

"Oh wow!" Sachi, the Whitebeard cook, lit up instantly.

"Let's go, brothers—I'm treating everyone."

Led by Ma Ma Ma Erke, Jozu, and Bista, the division commanders surged en masse into the three-color dumpling shop.

After a hearty meal, Ma Ma Ma Erke and the others continued following Ichizo, strolling along the orderly, spacious, and clean streets of the Flower Capital.

Seeing this, Jozu remarked.

"It's a pity our Whitebeard territory is so scattered."

"If only it were as large as Inazuma, we could surely turn it into a peaceful, prosperous paradise."

But Ma Ma Ma Erke shook his head.

"You're ignoring the most important point: Inazuma's wealth comes from the fact that the vast majority of Seastone on the seas is mined there."

"The Marines, pirates, the World Government, and allied nations all have enormous demand for Seastone."

"At least Beehive Island has a giant gold mine."

"But the islands under our command have almost no monopolistic resources—we can't become as wealthy as Inazuma."

What a pity.

Oden had clearly controlled the land and mineral-rich nation of Wano, yet failed to govern it properly, allowing Kaido and the Beasts Pirates to steal the country.

If not for Saint Saint Saiwen leading the Morning Star Corps to rescue them, the people of Wano would still be living in misery.

From this, it's easy to understand why ordinary Inazuma citizens like Ichizo's family so deeply respect and defend General Raiden Shogun's rule over Inazuma.

Even if Oden were dead, or even if he were resurrected, the people of Inazuma would no longer recognize him.

What constitutes a good life and what constitutes suffering—anyone who isn't a fool can tell the difference.

"There's also a Mondstadt bar up ahead—its specialty, dandelion wine, isn't as good as the kind Saint Saint Saiwen gave to Old Man, but it's still very popular."

Ichizo continued introducing the brothers.

"Ichizo, I remember you just came back last time—how do you know the Flower Capital so well?"

In response to Ma Ma Ma Erke's question, Ichizo chuckled and explained.

"My family took out a bank loan and bought a house in the second ring of the Flower Capital; last time I came back, I spent almost all my time wandering around the Flower Capital."

"Loan?" Ma Ma Ma Erke became interested.

"Is the interest high?"

If the interest rate was high enough, the Whitebeard Pirates could open a bank in their territories to earn extra income—better than robbing civilians and sinking to the level of low-class pirates.

"The interest is almost nothing."

"But the bank doesn't accept Berries—it only accepts Moras issued by Inazuma."

Ma Ma Ma Erke frowned, sensing something important, yet unable to fully grasp why Inazuma had specifically issued its own currency.

"Then weren't the old Moras useless?"

"Not entirely."

"The bank has dedicated exchange counters, and each person has a fixed monthly exchange quota."

Ichizo strained to recall the bank's explanation: "It's said that Inazuma will no longer circulate Berries—only Moras or gold."

Hearing this, Ma Ma Ma Erke finally pieced it together.

Shogun was trying to rebuild an entire financial system—to counter Berries' depreciation? Or to reduce the World Government's influence over Inazuma?

This kind of system… without specialized talent, the Whitebeard Pirates couldn't possibly manage it.

The Whitebeard Pirates' visit to Inazuma, besides settling Whitebeard and the Whitebeard Princess Istal, was also meant to fulfill the requests of the division commanders who didn't want to remain low-class pirates—

Old Man Whitebeard had specifically assigned clever-minded commanders like Ma Ma Ma Erke to study Inazuma's governance and business practices.

But after this comparison,

Ma Ma Ma Erke awkwardly realized: the Inazuma model only worked for Inazuma—the Whitebeard Pirates had no suitable soil to imitate it.

First, the Whitebeard territories were scattered.

They couldn't connect like Inazuma's six regions: Kuri, Shimi, Usagiwan, Suzu, Bai Wu, and the Flower Capital.

Second, Inazuma produced monopolistic, scarce resources—Seastone—while the Whitebeard territories had none.

Without monopolistic resources, they couldn't acquire vast wealth through trade, build infrastructure, raise large armies, or improve citizens' lives.

Precisely because of Seastone's existence,

Though the exact number of Inazuma's standing army was unknown, from the equipment of patrol officers on the streets, their gear must be top-tier.

Inazuma was already renowned for its swordsmiths, and it was said they had imported a batch of high-end thermal weapon experts from the South Seas.

Third, Inazuma's terrain was rugged and easy to defend.

This was also the main reason the World Government and Marines had failed to capture Inazuma for so many years.

In such treacherous terrain, even in the chaotic New World, few pirates could invade Inazuma.

Moreover, even if the Morning Star Corps didn't move, Inazuma's current standing army alone could easily crush any ordinary pirate who dared come.

And at the Seastone mines… there was a massive labor shortage—Inazuma actually welcomed pirate invasions.

Considering all these factors, Ma Ma Ma Erke felt the several division commanders had learned nothing.

Even if they learned it, they couldn't use it.

"Brothers, I think we still need to ask Saint Saint Saiwen for help. It's not that our intelligence is lacking, but we lack experience in governing a country."

Jozu, Vista, and others nodded in agreement.

Only Sachi asked in confusion, "Saint Saint Saiwen didn't have that experience before either. How did he manage it?"

Ma Ma Ma Erke and the others felt even more awkward.

Inoue shook his head helplessly, "Actually, the Raiden Shogun rarely handles affairs personally. Most of Inazuma's internal administration is managed by Mr. Master Tenghu."

"Mr. Big Bear and Young Lady Jin Ni assist with internal administration, while the economic aspects are handled by Tezolo."

Ma Ma Ma Erke adjusted the glasses on his nose.

"Who is Tezolo?"

They had never heard of such a person in the Morning Star Group before. Could he be a local from Inazuma?

"I'm not entirely sure either." Inoue shook his head.

"I suggest everyone go back and meet with the Old Man tonight. It would be best to ask Mr. Master Tenghu for advice. We lack experience, but the Morning Star Group has it."

"That makes sense." Ma Ma Ma Erke nodded.

Being a high-level pirate is indeed difficult. If it weren't for his good relationship with Saint Saint Saiwen and the ability to enlist the Morning Star Group's help, Ma Ma Ma Erke would have almost given up.

Being a low-level pirate is fine, then.

It is better than being completely in the dark, not knowing how to make any changes.

This also made Ma Ma Ma Erke realize: when people stay in a comfortable environment for too long, it is hard to make the determination to change.

On the seas, high-level pirates like Saint Saint Saiwen and the Morning Star Group who do not rely on plundering commoners are, after all, an extreme minority.

After touring for most of the day, Ma Ma Ma Erke and the others were tired, so they smiled sheepishly.

"Inoue, does Flower Capital have a Red Light District?"

Inoue's face fell.

"Ma Ma Ma Erke, prostitution is illegal in Inazuma."

"If you want to go to a Red Light District, you can only take a ship to Hive Island. That place is a pirate paradise, with everything one could possibly need."